Positions

CVA Position Statements

Vaping is the most effective smoking harm reduction tool available globally. Scientifically proven to be 95% less harmful than smoking and 70% more effective than Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

Health Canada states:

– Completely replacing cigarette smoking with vaping will reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.

– Vaping is less harmful than smoking. Many of the toxic and cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco and the tobacco smoke form when tobacco is burned.

– Except for nicotine, vaping products typically carry a fraction of the 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke and lower levels of several of the harmful chemicals found in smoke.

Vapour products should never be used by youth and non-smokers. Vaping is a harm reduction tool created to aid smokers in their transition away from tobacco. The CVA supports limiting the sale of flavoured products and products with nicotine concentrations greater than 20mg/mL to age-restricted specialty vape stores. Limiting access points to age restricted environments will limit youth exposure and use.

Flavours are the key to adult adoption and a successful transition away from tobacco. Approximately 90% of adult vapers use a flavoured product. The science has shown flavoured products reduce cravings and contribute to vaping being nearly twice as effective as any other nicotine replacement therapy product. The data has also conclusively shown that flavour bans do not prevent youth use and instead push adults back to smoking.

The CVA believes flavoured products belong in age restricted specialty vape stores.

The CVA continues to advocate for a ban on national brand advertising. Adult products should not be advertised where youth are present. While we condemn advertising outside of age-restricted spaces, we believe relative risk statements must be developed to inform smokers about the harm reduction opportunity of vaping. We will continue to work with government to develop these statements.